Welcome to "The Return of Russia," a podcast exploring the dramatic and turbulent history of the post-Soviet era, based on James Rodgers's compelling book, The Return of Russia: From Yeltsin to Putin, the Story of a Vengeful Kremlin.

Join us as we trace the nation's journey from the euphoric collapse of the USSR and the chaotic, poverty-stricken 1990s under Boris Yeltsin, to the meteoric rise of Vladimir Putin and his forging of a heavily controlled, authoritarian state. Throughout the series, we delve into the critical turning points that shaped modern Russia: the devastating wars in Chechnya that launched Putin's political career, the contentious expansion of NATO that fed Russian paranoia, and the systematic crushing of internal political and press freedoms.

Discover how a profound sense of post-Co ...